Watson batted through the Chennai innings until he was run out in the final over going for a reckless second run. He smashed four sixes and eight fours in his 59-ball knock.

Ishan Kishan sent Chennai dangerman M.S. Dhoni back to the dugout with a direct throw at the bowlers’ end to put the defending champions in trouble at 82-4. Dhoni made just two.

Earlier Chennai leg-spinner Imran Tahir took 2-23 to surpass fellow South African Kagiso Rabada as the top IPL bowlers chart this year with 26 wickets. Tahir was also the first 40-year-old to appear in an IPL final.

Deepak Chahar took three wickets while fellow quick Shardul Thakur took two.

South African captain Faf du Plessis then came all guns blazing to give Chennai a brisk start with his 26 off 13 deliveries.

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, an advisor to the Mumbai team, nervously watched the finale, frequently burying his head in his hands.